8 books that can make you a small fortune at auction

Everyday items you might be tempted to bin could actually be worth a small fortune. According to Barnebys, the world's leading search aggregator for auctions, many books which would have been purchased originally for a few pounds, are now worth a small fortune, fetching high prices at auction.

According to joint founder of Barnebys, Pontus Silfverstolpe, the real gems of the book world to look out for are:

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1. Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights

In 2007 a rare first edition of this classic novel, originally published in 1847, sold at auction for a whopping £114,000.

2. Ian Fleming, Casino Royale

Her Majesty's ultimate secret agent is still as popular as ever, and earlier this year, a first edition copy of this 1953 classic Bond novel sold for £22,500.

3. Graham Greene, Brighton Rock

First editions of this murder thriller from the 1930s, when complete with dust cover, are estimated to be worth around £4000 to £6000.

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4. Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon

A copy of this 1929 detective novel sold for £50,000, while a statue of a falcon, used as a prop in the 1941 film sold for a record $4.1 million.

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5. JR hartley, Fly Fishing

Published in 1842, by a tackle dealer, no two copies of this incredibly rare book are the same. It's credited with having taken fishing from a gentleman's pastime to a sport loved by the nation.

6. Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit

A copy of this children's book, still much-loved today, sold at auction for £40,000.

7. James Joyce, Ulysses

Originally published in 1922, a first edition of this lengthy classic fetched a huge £150,000.

8. JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

The most contemporary (and arguably most magical) book on the list was purchased for £10.99 in 1997. This year a copy sold for £60,000 – 5000 times its original price tag. Spellbinding stuff!

'There are still many wonderful finds out there, but you need to know what to look for,' says Pontus. 'There are items that cost very little originally and so were widely sold which today are worth a small fortune.

'Many people are simply not aware of what they have in their homes or what they could find in car boot sales and junk shops.'

He advises book owners to 'get a qualified book dealer or auction house expert in to value your books before you think of just dumping them'.